6:28 AM
Jo-Anne Rowney
The Pope has announced that the next international WYD will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2013 with the theme "Go and make disciples of all nations".
Pope Benedict XVI made the announcement to the million young pilgrims at Madrid’s Cuarto Vientos airbase on 21August.
“Even now, let us ask the Lord to assist all those who will organize it and to ease the journey there of young people from all over the world, so that they will be able to join me in that beautiful city of Brazil,” the Pope said following his midday Angelus prayer.
The next WYD will be held earlier than normal, leaving two years for preparations. This is because Rio is hosting the football World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games two years later.
Brazilians who had come to Spain for World Youth Day 2011 waved their flags and shouted with cheers of 'Viva la Papa'.
The World Youth Day cross changed hands after the announcement - a tradition at events since 1984 - with a Spanish young people passing it to a group from Brazil.
“I hope to see you again in two years’ time at the next World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,” said the Pope, bidding farewell in Portuguese, Brazil's native language. “Till then, let us pray for each other, witnessing to the joy that brings forth life, rooted in and built upon Christ. Until we meet again, my dear young people! God bless you all!”
Posted in: 
0 comments:
Post a Comment